Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-11


apprentices.
---->0>-
ALONG THE POTOMAC.
How the River Contributes to the Pleas.
ure Of the City.
THE FLEET OF STEAMERS AND EXCURSION BOATS
NEW PLEASURE PLACEs-PEoPLE WHO SEEK RE-
CREATION IN THE WATER.
The Potomac River, like great many other fea-
lures OF the capital city, has national reputation
as well as local reputation. The former has not
been good. It is, however, much better than it
used to be- Able statesmen do not quote the Po-
C0mac SO much as formerly In explaining the ILL
health which prevented them from giving time
and attention to the wants OF their constituents.
Ihey appease the wrath Of disappointed voters
In some other way. The Improvement OF
the river flats has disslpated both the
real and the Imaginary malarious atmosphere,
which rural constituents were made to believe en-
veloped the capital city like London fog. The
river has always been constant source of pleasure
TO the citizens. and in the summer time it enters
LARGELY 6s INTO the social e OF the city The variety
Is fishing In the vicinity Of the Great and Little
FaIls, where, amid the rugged mountain scenery,
and daSheS against the rocks that would check its
progress. Then, as it widens out into broad
placid stream near West Washington and gently
laps the wooded banks, the picturesque houses
and landings of the various boat clubs are located
ana every pleasant evening the gay voices OF
pleasure parties are heard on the water, and the
ngnt boats dart here and there upon the placid
Dosom OF the shining river. The deep shadows OF
the wooded shores, where the pavions are located,
music comes floating across the waters, and when
the sofS light OF the moon adds its fascination to
the scene, the susceptible hearts of youth and
maiden beat responsive to the tender influences
which can be felt but not adequately described.
There IS cute little steamer that runs daily nearly
up to the Chain Bridge
STEAMBOAT EXCURSIONS.
Comparatively few people have either the time
OF inclination for boating, as it may be seen on
the Upper Potomac, but nearly everybody appre-
ciates the fresh breath of the river after hot day
In the summer. SO every evening In the vicinity
OF the 7th street wharf crowds Of people may be
steamers that lie moored at the wharyes. They
bring their lunch baskets, their wives and their
children; the young man escorts his best GIRL and
gallantly burdens himself with her wrap. There
is good deal or laughter, and everybody seems
bent on having good time without putting on
any extra frills about it. The artificial airs OF the
ballroom and reception-room are disspated. and
people act naturally, and are agreeable without
trying to be So Society on the river is less formal
some OF the resorts on the river, and then again
they steam down for 20 or 80 miles and
retpsn When there are no regular excursions Of
boats make their usual trips IL they have passen-
gers enough, and so there is always an opportunity
10 take "a Sail down the river" as these trips are
termed.
THE FLEET OF STEAMERS.
There Is very respectable fleet OF vessels now
plying up and down the river, engaged in trans
porting pleasure seekers and freight. Without
taking into account the Alexandria ferry boats,
which, by the way, AFFORD by their hourly trips
teen steamers plying on the river which are used
Tor excursion purposes 1t may be also noted in
passing that the number Of boats have received
Two addlllonS since last year, Which may be taken
as an indication that .'going down the rtverH has
not, as yet lost its hold upon the public OF
course all these boats are not maintained purely
for the benent Of the pleasure seekers, and when
river men talk about the boats they do not speak
OF them all as excursion boats. The freight bust
the river and Norfolk has reached considerable
proportions, and Is not only sufficient to main
tam, 10 AL large extent these steamers, but also
kinds There is In addition two boats which do
not carry passengers at all but transport freight
are the E. c. Knight, Capt Geo. Young. and the
John Gibson, Capt. John s. Young, belonging to
the Inland and seaboard Coasting Go. The proper
classification OF the boats Is as follows: First
the boats plying between this city and Norfolk:
second the river boats, which touch at the various
riyer,andings but do not go outside Of the river;
and third; the excursion boats, which go to the
various pleasure resorts along the river. In the
flrst class there ara four boats-the Lady OF the
Lake, Capt; Jas. T: Barker and the Jane Moseley,
Capt. c. j. Bonneville, belonging to the Inland
| and Seaboard Coasting CO., and The george Ieary
p9Pe and an Int the
| co. One OF these boats on each line leave this
city every evening for Norfolk. All the boats
| also stop at Cornf1eld Harbor. These boats DO
quite large freight business and on Saturday
they carry down to Norfolk or Fortress Monroe
large number Of excursionists, who are able to
reach the city again in time for business Monday
morning.
BOATS 10 THE RIVER LANDINGs
The river boats are also four in number. and are
fitted for passengers as well as freight traffic The
Mattano, Capt. Wm Skinner, makes three trips a
week to Colonial Beach, which is 6S miles from the
city. A hotel has been erected here by Washtnu
ton capital and number OF Westinghouse have
erected cottages along the beach where they live
there last year and the residents and visitors en-
toyed the pleasure and excitement OF military
fishing, &C. salt water it is generally said beains
40 miles below the city, but real Saltwater air
is not reached until some 80 miles distant. The
week, touching at all river landings from Alexan.
dr1a 70 Nomini, and the Jno: W. Thompson, Capt
Sa Jones e1s so P %aKs three
OF nearly 100 miles. The steamer Sue. Cant w
T. Geoghan, makes two trips week to baltimore re-
THE EXCURSION BOATS
are perhaps the most familiar to the neon,e NJ
washington, and nearly everybody has at one
time or other boarded the steamer Corcoran
which is commanded by Capt. L. L. Blake. for the
Corcoran makes daily trips to Mount Vernon and
that place is one OF the notable sights about Wash
ingtOn. On the opposite side or the river some
miles farther down, Is Marshall Hail which IA
favortte excursion point, and here excursion par.
orite, Mary Washington, Capt. E. s. Randall now
makes daily trips to River View, which is a com.
parat1vely new resort, and has been fitted mn FOR
the enjoyment and comfort OF excursiOnists. civ
mont 22 miles down the river, has been
improved during the past year. and among other
up to the top OF the hill. The Pilot BOY. can't.
Ephraim Chesser. which used to be on the river
win run between that point and the city this
year. '--10
AS mentioned above, there Will be two new ex.
these will run to Chapel Point, on Port Tobscco
Greek, some 90 miles down the river The other
boat Will run TO Lower Cedar Point which r. IA
expected, wiz be opened about the middle az the
| month. THIS new steamer is the Bishop, q com
on the boat, and there win be no food rurnished
The Arrowsmith. Capt. Chas Entw,s,e viii
make trips each week to Colonial Beach. Witch ia
under the management OF Capt HOliinrshead
The Potomac River from its source in thu Allie.
ghantes TO It's mouth at the Chesapeake Raw. IA
400 miles long. For nearly halt OF IhaI distance
IN passing through the mountainous re0ton nOrrf,
OF this city, IL Is o comparatively narrow stream
put wnen , ~ reaches Alexandria it widens out
1t gradually expands until, at It's mouth. # fOrms
broad estuary seven and half mies vida rIts
represents the width OF the river from point
LOOKOUT 70 SMITHS Point. where It enpiies into
| the Chesapeake Bay. '--sS